FXUS66 KSTO 251822

AFDSTO



Area Forecast Discussion

National Weather Service Sacramento CA

1122 AM PDT Sat Apr 25 2026





.KEY MESSAGES... 

 

 - Light mountain showers and isolated thunderstorms this

   afternoon and evening into early next week, best chances over

   Shasta County and mountain areas.

 

 - Temperatures trend cool for weekend, a little above normal and

   dry mid to late next week.



&&



.DISCUSSION...



...Today-Sunday...

Isolated showers, thunderstorms, light snow, and breezy winds 

today from a trough passage through California, apart of a larger

low pressure system over the West into Central Canada. Overall,

precipitation has trended wetter today but still looking for

only minor travel impacts. Hi- res modeling show showers and 

convection beginning early this afternoon and linger into the 

overnight hours. Showers will continue through Sunday morning with

another round of thunderstorms on Sunday, mainly confined to 

Shasta County. Overall, impacts are limited by lack of organized 

convection and peak convection window occurring after daytime 

energy is on the downtrend and shear values on the weaker side of 

things. Current totals show 0.25-0.75" over the mountains and 

0.50-1.50" over Shasta County, highest over Eastern Shasta County.

Additionally, south winds gusts up to 15-25 MPH today and 

tomorrow (Sunday), strongest in the afternoon hours. 



With that being said, any developed thunderstorms carries the 

risk of lightning, small hail, and rain showers so exercise 

caution if commuting and find the latest road conditions at 

quickmap.ca.dot.gov. 



Lastly, minor snow accumulations expected as showers develop over

the mountains. Current forecasts have 1-4 inches over the Sierra,

up to 6-8 inches over Lassen and peaks south of Hwy. 50. Snow 

levels decrease late this afternoon to around 5500-6500, then

persist through Monday before snow tapers off. Travel

impacts should be limited, with slippery roads at times.



...Next Week...

Lingering showers continue over the Sierra on Monday with dry

conditions to follow through much of the work week. Highs will be

in the 70s in the Valley and foothills, with cooler mid to upper

40s to 50s for the higher elevations. Temperatures trend higher 

and more seasonable mid to late week with low 80s across the 

Valley by Wednesday and afternoon breezy weather across the Delta.



&&



.AVIATION...



Areas of MVFR conditions possible in mountain showers or isolated

thunderstorms this afternoon into early next week, extending into

portions of the Valley and foothills this weekend. Elsewhere, VFR

conditions expected next 24 hours except for possible MVFR 

ceilings at the Sacramento area sites after 10z-12z Sunday. 

Periods of breezy southerly to southwesterly gusts up to 15-20 kts

in the Valley and up to 20-30 kts over the mountains until around

00z-03z Monday. 



&&



.STO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...

None.

&&



$$